An Electrical Certificate of Compliance (COC) is essential for confirming that electrical work meets safety standards and regulations. Whether you’re buying a property, renovating, or checking the safety of your electrical installation, it’s important to understand and verify the details of your certificate.
1. Obtain a copy of your Electrical Certificate of Compliance
Make sure you have a copy of the certificate.
2. Understanding the certificate’s details
- Each certificate has a unique number at the top, make sure you have this number handy when contacting relevant parties.
- Ensure the certificate is properly filled out, including details such as the date of issue, the address of the property, the contact details of the issuing electrician/contractor and the specifics of the tests that were carried out.
3. Check the validity of your certificate
An electrical certificate of compliance remains valid for the lifetime of the electrical installation unless modifications or additions have been made. However, for the purpose of property transfer, the certificate must be no older than 2 years. It’s important to note that wear and tear happens over time, which can impact the validity of the certificate if the electrical installation no longer meets safety standards.
4. Check the issuing Electrician’s registration
Ensure that the electrician or contractor is registered with the Department of Labour and the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA). You can do this by contacting the electrician and requesting their Department of Labour certification.
Read our article What is an Electrical Certificate of Compliance? for more information.